Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

The Cadet Class Spring Series to decide the UK World Team for this summer's World Championships in Poland rolled into Portland just as Storm Hannah decided also to roll into town and vent its fury across the South Coast. 50 knots out of a clear blue sky with boats and bits scattered across the boat park.

As a result Saturday was blown out and the young sailors resorted to fitness (a few), rules seminars (fewer still - when will they learn?), trips to the cinema (Avengers End Game was popular, Dumbo less so) and even some were seen sitting in Spinnakers Bar doing some GCSE revision.

Sunday looked a much better prospect so an early start was booked with Arky our trusted PRO aiming to get four decent races in. Conditions were a pretty peachy 12-18 knots with the sun burning through as the day went on. Weymouth's resident sea life came to visit the fleet before proceedings started prompting some to ask if he was lost - no he was there on porpoise!

Race One saw Lia Fletcher and Kali Karaskas on the second beat hauling in Katie Yelland and Dom Rowell who had led at the first windward. They took the win from Cally Terkelsen and Pippa Smith and Ethan Davey and Alex Enkel in third. In regatta fleet Tom Walker and Ned Fairhurst took first from Ed Fletcher and Charlie Bailey.

On to Race Two and once again Lia and Kali putting down a serious challenge by again dominating proceedings and taking a grip on the championships. In second was Katie and Dom followed by Phoebe Bradshaw and Rhona Enkel. The track was favouring those starting at the pin, heading left toward the Bill until taking the left hander on port as the wind rose over Chesil Beach. That was fine if you could approach on Port ahead of the fleet but lead to some interesting situations developing for those in the pack as they converged at the windward mark. In regatta first and second were reversed with Ed and Charlie ahead of Tom and Ned.

Race 3 started after a quick turnaround from Arky. The sun was out and these were becoming champagne conditions - no more so than for Lia and Kali who again took things conservatively at the start and shifted gear to lead from the front as things went on. Moving up a place this race into second were Phoebe and Rhona with Elie Watling and George Little taking a solid third place to move up the overall rankings. Once again in regatta fleet Ed and Charlie extended fromTom and Ned to also place the Fletcher siblings in control of both fleets.

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

So Lia and Kali had done enough to win the event but not content with that they bagged a fourth win in Race 4 to also take firm control of the Worlds qualifier series. A masterclass of quality, sensible tactical racing where making fewer mistakes than those in pursuit clearly paid dividends. Second were Ethan and Alex with Phoebe and Rhona third. Again in regatta fleet Ed and Charlie Won to take the overall first place ahead of Tom and Ned.

So that was it. Boats were packed up in the beautiful sunshine and the Zhik sponsored prize giving was wrapped up quickly so everyone could be on the road to home by 5.30. As always WPNSA put on a great event and the frustration of no sailing on Saturday was but a memory as tired youngsters headed home.

Next weekend the Cadet Class moves on to Grafham Water for the final qualifier - things are getting tight for those seven coveted team places but with a good though chilly forecast there's little doubt that those chosen will have earned their places.

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Main Fleet Results:

Regatta Fleet Results:

Zhik Cadet Alf Simmond Trophy at Weymouth - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk